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Photos: Pope Benedict XVI first state visit to Germany

BERLIN (AP) – Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Germany on Thursday on his first state visit to his homeland, where he is expected to be greeted by large protests and even larger crowds of Catholic faithful.
Howitzers fired a ceremonial salute as the pope stepped off his plane, and Eurofighter jet escorts flew overhead.
Merkel introduced the pope to members of her Cabinet. He then greeted members of the German Catholic Church and children who stood waiting for him with small yellow-and-white Vatican flags and presented him with a bouquet of flowers.
Benedict blessed the children before moving on, accompanied by Merkel and President Wulff to his car.
A tiny group of about 20 protesters stood outside the airport, holding banners with slogans like “against anti-Semitism, sexism and homophobia” and “my body, my choice.”
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